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Suggest Treatment For Anxiety And Panic Attacks

Posted on Mon, 13 Apr 2015

Question: Hi i was given a prescription for Celxa 10 mg for anxiety and panic . But i am nervous to start it i have read some stuff about the side effects . I am a single mother of a 4 yr old and don't want to take the pill not knowing how it will effect me and not be able to take care of my child . So if you can let me know what to expect and how bad the harm should be it would help . Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (57 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
common side effects disappear in 5-7 days.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HealthcareMagic.

I can understand your concerns.

Common side effects of celexa (citalopram) include:
drowsiness,
insomnia,
nausea,
vivid dreaming,
frequent urination,
dry mouth,
diarrhea,
excessive yawning and fatigue.

These side effects usually subside in 5-7 days of starting the drug.
Take the drug in daytime preferably and not at bedtime.

The drug is safe in long term. Do not worry about this.

Take the drug as prescribed.

Hope this helps.
Feel free to ask further.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (39 hours later)

I have taken prozac before for about two years and i did not have any problems with it at all.

Is Celexa like prozac ?

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
both drugs are SSRIs.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.

Celexa and prozac belong to same class of drugs, that is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

If you had no problems with prozac in past, I think you will tolerate celexa as well. There should be no problem with celexa.

There are slight pharmacokinetic differences in both the drugs. But more or less, these have almost similar profile of effects.

Hope this helps.

Feel free to discuss further.

Kindly close the discussion if you are satisfied with the response and give your valuable feedback.

I wish you well.

Thanks.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar